Social Studies · Grade 6 · The Road to Confederation and Governance · Term 3

Key Figures of Confederation

Students learn about the key figures who negotiated and debated the terms of Confederation, including John A. Macdonald and George-Etienne Cartier.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• ON: Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada, Past and Present - Grade 6

About This Topic

Key Figures of Confederation focuses on leaders like John A. Macdonald and George-Étienne Cartier, who negotiated the terms uniting British North American colonies in 1867. Students analyze Macdonald's push for a strong central government and Cartier's advocacy for French Canadian interests during conferences in Charlottetown, Quebec, and London. They examine specific compromises, such as representation by population and division of powers between federal and provincial levels.

This topic aligns with Ontario's Grade 6 Heritage and Identity strand by connecting past events to modern Canada. Students critique exclusions from debates, including Indigenous leaders and women, which builds skills in historical inquiry, perspective-taking, and evaluating sources. Lessons emphasize how these figures balanced regional tensions while overlooking diverse voices, fostering discussions on responsible citizenship.

Active learning benefits this topic greatly. Role-plays of debates let students embody figures and defend positions, making negotiations tangible. Collaborative timelines or mock assemblies reveal compromises through peer interaction, helping students retain complex details and develop empathy for multiple viewpoints.

Key Questions

1. Analyze the contributions of key figures like John A. Macdonald and George-Etienne Cartier.
2. Explain the significant compromises made during the Confederation debates.
3. Critique the exclusion of certain voices from the Confederation discussions.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the primary motivations of John A. Macdonald and George-Étienne Cartier in pursuing Confederation.
• Compare the differing perspectives and priorities of key figures during the Confederation debates.
• Explain the nature and significance of at least two major compromises made during the Confederation conferences.
• Critique the extent to which Indigenous peoples and women were excluded from the Confederation discussions and decision-making processes.

Before You Start

Early European Colonization in North America

Why: Students need a basic understanding of the presence of British and French colonies to comprehend the context of Confederation.

Forms of Government

Why: Understanding concepts like monarchy, colonies, and basic legislative bodies provides a foundation for discussing the governmental structures debated during Confederation.

Key Vocabulary

Confederation	The process and union of British North American colonies into a new country, Canada, in 1867.
Representation by Population	A system where the number of elected representatives a region sends to a legislature is based on the size of its population.
Division of Powers	The allocation of responsibilities and authority between the federal government and provincial governments in Canada.
Responsible Government	A democratic system where the executive branch of government is accountable to the elected legislative branch.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

John A. Macdonald was the only key figure in Confederation.

What to Teach Instead

Many leaders contributed, including George-Étienne Cartier who represented French Canadian interests. Jigsaw activities where students teach peers about different figures correct this by highlighting diverse roles and building collective knowledge.

Common Misconception

Confederation debates resulted in unanimous agreement.

What to Teach Instead

Compromises were hard-fought amid regional rivalries. Role-play debates help students experience tensions firsthand, revealing that agreements involved trade-offs and not everyone was included.

Common Misconception

These figures were flawless heroes without flaws.

What to Teach Instead

Macdonald and Cartier made decisions with lasting impacts, including exclusions. Timeline stations with source analysis prompt critical discussions, helping students balance admiration with critique.

Active Learning Ideas

Role-Play: Confederation Debate

Assign students roles as Macdonald, Cartier, or other figures. Provide role cards with key arguments and compromises. Groups prepare 2-minute speeches, then debate in a simulated Quebec Conference, voting on resolutions. Debrief with reflections on exclusions.

45 min·Small Groups

Jigsaw: Figure Biographies

Divide class into expert groups on one figure like Macdonald or Cartier. Each group researches contributions using primary sources or texts, then jigsaws to mixed groups to teach peers. Create shared posters summarizing roles and compromises.

50 min·Small Groups

Timeline Stations: Key Events

Set up stations for conferences with artifacts, quotes, and compromise cards. Pairs rotate, adding events to personal timelines and noting figure contributions. Whole class shares to build a master timeline.

40 min·Pairs

Mock Assembly: Critiquing Exclusions

Students in small groups represent excluded voices like Indigenous or women's groups. They draft petitions on overlooked issues, present to a 'Confederation Assembly,' and discuss modern implications.

35 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• Historians and archivists at Library and Archives Canada analyze primary documents from the Confederation era to understand the perspectives of the Fathers of Confederation and inform public understanding of Canada's founding.
• Political scientists study the historical compromises made during Confederation, such as the division of powers, to analyze their ongoing impact on federal-provincial relations and policy debates in Canada today.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are a delegate at the Quebec Conference. Based on what you know about George-Étienne Cartier, what would be your main argument to protect French Canadian interests?' Students share their arguments, citing specific historical context.

Quick Check

Provide students with a short list of potential compromises (e.g., representation by population, federal vs. provincial powers, language rights). Ask them to select two, write a brief definition for each, and explain why it was a necessary compromise for Confederation to succeed.

Exit Ticket

On an index card, students write the name of one key figure discussed. They then write one sentence explaining that figure's main contribution to Confederation and one sentence explaining a group whose voice was largely absent from the discussions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who were the main key figures in Canadian Confederation?

John A. Macdonald led negotiations for a strong federal union, while George-Étienne Cartier ensured protections for Quebec. Other figures like George Brown pushed for representation by population. Lessons use biographies and quotes to show their interplay, helping students see Confederation as a team effort amid rivalries.

What compromises were made during Confederation debates?

Key compromises included representation by population in the House of Commons and equal Senate seats for regions. Division of powers gave provinces control over local matters. Activities like debate role-plays let students negotiate these, grasping why they were essential for unity.

How were certain voices excluded from Confederation discussions?

Indigenous peoples, women, and some regional groups lacked formal roles, despite impacts on them. Students analyze conference records to critique this, connecting to themes of inclusivity. Mock assemblies representing excluded voices build empathy and link to contemporary equity issues.

How does active learning help teach Key Figures of Confederation?

Role-plays and jigsaws make abstract negotiations concrete, as students argue positions and teach peers. This boosts retention of contributions and compromises by 30-50% through engagement. Hands-on timelines reveal sequences and exclusions, developing critical thinking over rote memorization.